Wearable computing systems

ABSTRACT

One embodiment provides a computing device comprising a computing device body, a display coupled with the computing device body, a first set of computing components incorporated into the computing device body, and a securing system configured to secure the body to a wrist, the securing system comprising a plurality of detachable modular segments joined together to form a second set of computing components that is modifiable by changing segments. Each modular segment comprises a first mechanical connector and a second mechanical connector, a first set of electrical connectors and a second set of electrical connectors, and one or more electrical components incorporated into the modular segment, such that a functionality of the computing device is modifiable by changing modular segments.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/597,034, filed May 16, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/172,706 filed on Feb. 4, 2014, now granted asU.S. Pat. No. 9,668,367, and titled “WEARABLE COMPUTING SYSTEMS,” theentire disclosures of each of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

Advances in computing technology are allowing computing systems to beconfigured into smaller and smaller form factors, such as wearabledevices. Some wearable computing systems may be configured to be worn ona user's wrist. Wrist computing systems may have a form factor similarto a watch, with a display incorporated in a body that is configured tobe worn on a top (dorsal) surface of a wrist and a strap that securesthe computing system to the wrist. Other wrist-worn computing systemsmay take the form of a wrist band with no distinct body and strap, butrather a bracelet-like structure that incorporates a display.

SUMMARY

Embodiments are disclosed that relate to wearable computing devices. Forexample, one embodiment provides a computing device comprising acomputing device body, a display coupled with the computing device body,a first set of computing components incorporated into the computingdevice body, and a securing system configured to secure the body to awrist, the securing system comprising a plurality of detachable modularsegments joined together to form a second set of computing componentsthat is modifiable by changing segments. Each modular segment comprisesa first mechanical connector and a second mechanical connector, a firstset of electrical connectors and a second set of electrical connectors,and one or more electrical components incorporated into the modularsegment, such that a functionality of the computing device is modifiableby changing modular segments.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore,the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solveany or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a wearable computing device.

FIG. 2 shows a side sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with aschematic outline of a human wrist shown in dashed line.

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram depicting an embodiment of a method foroperating a wearable computing device.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate varying a location at which content isdisplayed on a display based upon motion of a computing device accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a display of a notification on a curvedportion of a display, followed by display of the subject message on adifferent area of the display, according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a wearable computing device having asecuring structure that comprises a plurality of modular segments.

FIG. 7A schematically shows one embodiment of an electricalconfiguration for the modular segments of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7B schematically shows another embodiment of an electricalconfiguration for the modular segments of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram depicting an embodiment of a method foroperating a wearable computing device having a securing structurecomprising modular segments.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a computing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wearable computing systems may have various design constraints notpresent with other types of computing systems that may complicate systemdesign. For example, unlike a mobile phone, a wearable computing systemmay be secured to an associated body part during use. As such, a rangeof locations and angles from which a wearable computing device isviewable may be constrained by limitations of human anatomy.

For example, as mentioned above, computing systems configured to be wornon the wrist may have a form factor similar to a wristwatch, with aplanar body configured to be located on a dorsal (top) surface of awrist when secured to the user's arm, or may take the form of abracelet-like band. In either of these cases, a user may have to movethe device to easily view the display on the device, such as by raisingan elbow and/or rotating a wrist to turn the display more directlytoward the face.

In the case of an ordinary wristwatch, moving the watch into view maypose no inconvenience, as a user typically just quickly glances at thewatch on those occasions when the user wishes to view the time. However,in the case of a wrist-worn computing system, the user may look at thedisplay for longer periods of time, such as to view images (e.g. photosand videos), to read or compose messages, etc. Additionally, wristcomputing systems also may provide notifications of incoming content,such as received text, email and/or voicemail messages. Thus, a user maymake many arm movements if such notifications are received frequently.

Additionally, wearable computing system also may have size constraintscompared to devices such as mobile phones. For example, it may bedesirable for a wrist computing system to include all of the componentfunctionalities of a smart phone, such as displays, touch sensors, cellphone components, motion sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes),forward and backward facing cameras, microphones, speakers, hapticoutputs (e.g. vibration motors), Wi-Fi antennas, global positioningsystem (GPS) sensors, logic devices (e.g. processors), mass storage,etc. However, while all of these devices may fit well within the formfactor of a mobile phone, they may not fit as well in a smaller formfactor, such as a watch small enough to be comfortably worn.

As one potential solution, a wrist computing device sufficiently smallto be worn on the wrist may omit one or more functionalities commonlyfound in larger mobile devices, such as functionalities desired more bya select sub-group of targeted consumers rather than functionalitiesdesired by a broader range of the targeted consumers. However, this mayresult in the loss of potential buyers.

Another possible solution may be to utilize a bracelet-style body toincrease an amount of interior space available for components. However,human wrists have a broad range of sizes. Thus, a bracelet-style devicemay have to be manufactured in multiple sizes to fit a broad range ofusers. This may increase the complexity and cost of manufacturing suchdevices.

Accordingly, embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to wearablecomputing devices that may facilitate the viewing of content on thedevice from various angles, may simplify the fitting of wrists of abroad range of sizes, and/or may permit implementation of a broad rangeof user-selected functionalities in a comfortably-sized form factor,among other features. For example, some embodiments relate to a wristcomputing device having a body and display that curves from a dorsalside to a lateral side of the wrist. Such a shape may permit itemsdisplayed on the display (e.g. notifications) to be viewed from naturalviewing angles without having to raise and/or reorient the forearm.Further, such a shape may allow a broad range of wrist sizes to be fitwith a common-sized device, unlike bracelet-style devices. The surfacesof the wrist may be referred to herein as follows: dorsal (top side),palmar (bottom side), medial (pinky side) and lateral (thumb side).

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a wrist computing device 100 comprising abody 102 and a display 104, and FIG. 2 shows a side sectional view ofthe wrist computing device 100. FIG. 2 also schematically shows a humanwrist 108, and illustrates a dorsal side 110 and a lateral side 112 ofthe wrist 108. The body 102 and display 104 of the depicted wristcomputing device 100 each include a planar portion 120 and a curvedportion 122. The planar portion 120 of the body extends in a planarconfiguration from a dorsal end 124 that is configured to be locatedover the dorsal side 110 of the wrist 108 partially toward a lateral end126 configured to be located along the lateral side 112 of the wristwhen the computing device is worn on a wrist. The curved portion 122 ofthe body extends from an end of the planar portion 120 to the lateralend 126 of body 102.

The depicted display 104 covers a substantial portion of planar portion120 and curved portion 122 of body 102. However, it will be understoodthat a wrist computing device may have a display that covers any otherportions of the curved and planar portions of the body than that shown.Further, in some embodiments, two or more displays may be arranged alongthe body in a segmented manner. The use of segmented displays may allowrigid, planar displays to be approximately fit to the curvature of body102. The size and form factor of a wrist computing device 100 may varydepending upon an intended function of the device, screen size, andother factors. For example, a wrist computing device may be providedwith smaller display (e.g. <1.6 inches) and a larger (e.g. 2 to 2.4inches) to fit individuals of different sizes. It will be understoodthat these examples are intended to be illustrative and not limiting inany manner. Any suitable type of display device may be used as display104. In the case of a curved display, examples of suitable displaydevices include, but are not limited to, flexible or curved OLED(organic light emitting device) displays. Further, where multiple planardisplays are arranged in a segmented fashion along body 102, planardisplays such as LCD (liquid crystal displays) may be used. In suchembodiments, different materials (e.g. OLED and electronic ink displays)may be used in different zones of the display. For example, anelectronic ink display may allow always-on operation at low power, whilean OLED display may be selectively operated for full color and highrefresh rates for video display.

FIG. 1 also depicts an embodiment of a securing structure 130 configuredto secure the wrist computing device 100 to a human wrist. The securingstructure 130 of FIG. 1 takes the form of a flexible strap, such as awatch band, that connects to the dorsal end 124 and lateral end 126 ofthe body 102 and that may be tightened around a wrist, but may take anyother suitable form, and may or may not have a latch or buckle forconnecting the securing structure around the wrist. In otherembodiments, as described below, a securing structure may includebuilt-in devices to extend the functionalities of the computing device100.

FIG. 2 depicts the fit of the body 102 to wrist 108. As mentioned above,wrist-worn devices, such as watches and current wrist computers, maytake the form of a traditional watch, with a flat display located abovethe dorsal side 110 of the wrist. Thus, to view the screen at a naturalviewing angle, the wrist may be held in a posture that is uncomfortableto hold for more than a few minutes. Further, it may be difficult toincrease the size of a flat display screen without extending far beyondthe sides of a user's wrist. Some wrist worn devices may accommodate alarger display by providing a rectangular display in a landscapeorientation in which a long dimension of the display extends along auser's arm. However, such a configuration may increase a width of adevice to an undesirable amount. Other wrist-worn devices, such asbracelet-style devices, may have a display that extends farther around auser's wrist. However, in such an arrangement, at least a portion of thedisplay may be occluded by the user's wrist.

In contrast, computing device 100 may accommodate a larger area screenthan devices configured to be located over the lateral wrist surfacealone, without extending far beyond the sides of the wrist and withoutthe display being partially occluded by the wrist. Referring to FIG. 2,curved portion 122 of display 104 provides additional display area notavailable on devices that include just a planar portion configured to belocated over a dorsal surface of the wrist, and accomplishes thiswithout being excessively wide. This may help to display more content inan easier-to-view manner than wrist computing devices with smallerdisplays. Further, the curvature keeps body 102 from extending beyondthe side of the wrist to any significant extent, as the shape of body102 conforms to the natural curvature of the wrist. Additionally, as thebody terminates along a lateral side of the wrist, the risk of a portionof the display being occluded by the user's wrist is reduced compared todisplays that extend farther around the wrist, such as bracelet-styledevices.

Body 102 also may fit a wider range of wrist sizes than a bracelet-styledevice. For example, a device having a body that extends around three ormore wrist surfaces, such as a bracelet-style device, may be sensitiveto the width and/or thickness of the wrist. In contrast, body 102, whichextends along two sides of a wrist, is much less sensitive to wristthickness and width. Instead, body 102 fits a curve of the wrist fromthe dorsal to lateral side, which may be a similar shape for wrists ofmany sizes. An adjustable strap or other securing structure may be usedto accommodate differences in diameter and shape between differentwrists. Further, display 104 may utilize less power than a display thatcurves around three or more sides of a user's wrist.

The configuration of body 102 also may facilitate the inclusion of agreater number of electronic components than a body 102 of similar widththat is configured to be positioned over a dorsal side of a wrist butnot other sides of the wrist. For example, components may be included inboth planar portion 120 and curved portion 122 of body 102. Further,components may be selectively included in planar portion 120 or curvedportion 122 based upon shapes for the components. For example, referringto FIG. 2, planar portion 120 may include one or more planar componentssuch as printed circuit boards 200, 202 that support integrated circuits204, sensor packages 206 (e.g. motion sensor(s), image sensor(s), etc.),output devices (e.g. speaker(s), haptic output(s), etc.), a SIM card,storage device(s), connector(s), biometric sensor(s), microphone(s),button(s), light emitting diode(s), and/or other components that maycommonly have planar configurations. Likewise, curved portion 122 mayinclude one or more components that may be manufactured in a curvedshape, such as a battery 208, an antenna (not shown) that extends atleast partially around a perimeter of body 102, and/or other componentsthat may be more easily positioned in a curved volume. Examples include,but are not limited to, speakers and associated resonance cavities,magnetic resonance charging coils, and thin film solar cells. Inaddition, some planar components may fit within curved portion 122 aswell. Examples include, but are not limited to, tact switches,microphones, light emitting diodes, ambient light sensors, etc. It willbe understood that these components that may be respectively included inthe planar and curved portions of body 102 are presented for the purposeof example, and are not intended to be limiting in any manner.

Curved portion 122 of display 104 may orient a portion of the displaytoward an eye of the user when the wrist and arm of the user are in anatural, relaxed posture (e.g. an arm resting on a table, a desk, auser's leg, etc. when the user is seated, a hand positioned on akeyboard when typing, etc.). Thus, a user may easily view notificationsand other displayed content without having to move the device into aless comfortable position. Additionally, the configuration of display104 may allow displayed content to face more toward the user, ratherthan toward others. This may help the user to discreetly view contentthat is potentially intended to be private.

In some embodiments, wrist computing device 100 may be configured todisplay content at different locations on display 104 in variouscontexts. As a more specific example, wrist computing device 100 may beconfigured to display notifications on curved portion 122 of display104, rather than on planar portion 120, to help maintain the privacy ofthe notification. Then, the content underlying the notification (e.g.text message, email, text conversion of voicemail, etc.) may be revealedon a larger area of display 104 by movement of the wrist to direct theplanar portion 120 of display 104 more toward an estimated position of areference body part of the user (e.g. head, eyes) as determined frommotion data.

Likewise, motion data also may be used to vary a location of content ondisplay 104 as a user moves wrist computing device 100 relative to theestimated location of a reference body part. As a more specific example,some types of content, such as an SMS message, may not occupy anentirety of display 104. Thus, the message may be displayed on an areaof display 104 determined to be likely to be facing the user, and thelocation of the message on the display may vary as the position of thedevice moves relative to an estimated location of the body part of theuser. Any suitable motion sensor(s) may be used to detect motion ofwrist computing device 100. Examples include, but are not limited to,accelerometers, gyroscopes, and/or image sensor(s), such as image sensor150 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that depicts an embodiment of a method 300 foroperating a wrist computing device. Method 300 may be performed, forexample, via execution of computer-readable instructions stored on awrist computing device by a logic subsystem on the wrist computingdevice. Method 300 comprises, at 302, tracking a position of the wristcomputing device via data from the motion sensor. Any suitable type ofmotion data may be used. Examples include, but are not limited to, datafrom accelerometer(s) 304, gyroscope(s) 306, and/or image sensors 308(e.g. two-dimensional and/or depth image sensors). The position may betracked relative to an estimated location of a body part, such as a heador eyes, of a user, or based upon any other suitable reference location.Any suitable information regarding the estimated position of the wristcomputing device may be tracked, including but not limited to wristcomputing device rotation and translation information. The estimatedposition of the body part may be determined, for example, based uponinformation (e.g. data, function(s), heuristic(s), etc.) that relate awrist posture as determined from the motion data to a body posture.

Continuing, method 300 comprises, at 312, receiving a trigger to displayinformation on a display. Any suitable trigger may be received, and thetrigger may be received from any suitable source, whether internal orexternal to the wrist computing device. As one example, the trigger maycomprise receipt of a communication (e.g. text message, email message,voicemail message) from another device, a user input requesting displayof content, a notification of an internally stored event (e.g. acalendar reminder or other user-set alert), and/or any other suitabletrigger.

In response to the trigger, method 300 comprises, at 314, displaying theinformation on an area of the display determined based upon theestimated position of the wrist computing device. As one example, theinformation may be displayed on an area of the display determined basedupon an estimated position of the wrist computing device relative to abody part of the user (e.g. head, eyes), as indicated at 316. As a morespecific example, a content item, such as a message, that may not occupya full display area may be displayed at an area estimated to beapproximately at a normal angle relative to a user's line of sight. FIG.4A shows an example of this, wherein content 400 illustrated as a shadedregion is displayed on a first region of display 104 that is estimatedto be directed toward a user's head, as illustrated by eye 402.

As another example, a notification may be displayed on a curved portionof a display, as indicated at 318. FIG. 5A shows an example embodimentof a notification 500 displayed on the curved portion of display 104,wherein the notification 500 comprises an alert regarding a newlyreceived message. As illustrated, the notification 500 is displayed onan area of display 104 that may be easily viewed by a user wearing wristcomputing device 100 when the user's wrist is in a natural, relaxedposture.

Method 300 further comprises, at 320, detecting a change in position ofthe wrist computing device via the tracking of the position of the wristcomputing device, and in response, changing a location at whichinformation is displayed on the wrist computing device. The location atwhich the information is displayed may be changed in any suitablemanner. For example, if a change in the estimated location of the wristcomputing device relative to the user's body part (e.g. head or eyes) isdetected, then the location at which information is displayed may bechanged to an area of the display determined to be oriented more towarda head of the user, and not an area of the display determined to beoriented less toward the head of the user. This is illustrated in FIG.4B, wherein content 400 has been moved to a different area of display104 in response to a change in an estimated position of the display 104relative to the user's head or eye 402.

Further, where a notification is displayed, movement of the wristcomputing device may be configured to trigger display of the contentthat is associated with (e.g. the subject of) the notification, asindicated at 324. For example, FIG. 5B shows wrist computing device 100after a user, illustrated by eye 502, has rotated planar portion 120 ofwrist computing device 100 inwardly to view planar portion 120 moredirectly. In response to this motion, wrist computing device 100displays the subject message 504. In the depicted example, the entiretyof display 104 is used to display the message 504, but it will beunderstood that, in other examples, the message 504 may be displayed ona smaller area of the display estimated to face the viewer's head oreyes relatively directly to help maintain privacy.

Continuing with FIG. 3, in the examples above, data from motion sensorsis used to vary a location at which display 104 is actively displayinginformation. However, data from motion sensors may be used to adjust thelocation of displayed content in other manners. For example, wristmotions may be used to scroll information displayed on the display, asindicated at 326. As a more specific example, a wrist computing devicemay be configured to detect a rate of wrist rotation, and in response,scroll displayed information at a rate proportional to the rate ofrotation. In this example, the location of an active area of display 104is not adjusted, but a location of displayed information within a largercontent item (e.g. a location of text within a text file) is changed. Itwill be understood that the above-described examples of changes made tothe display of content based upon motion data are presented for thepurpose of example and are not intended to be limiting in any manner.

As mentioned above, body 102 may provide additional room for componentsrelative to wrist computing devices lacking curved portion 122, ascurved portion 122 provides additional interior space for componentsthat may be made in a curved shape. However, not all components that maybe included in body 102 may be desirable to all users. For example, someusers may desire biometric sensors, while other users may not care forsuch functionalities. As each component included in body 102 contributesto the cost of wrist computing device 100, including components that aredesired by a relatively smaller subset of users may drive up the cost ofthe device for those who would like a lower cost device that omittedsuch components.

In light of such concerns, a wrist computing device may be configuredsuch that a first set of functionalities of the device are provided viadevices located within a body of the computing device, and a second setof functionalities are provided in a securing structure, such as a wristband or strap, used to secure the wrist computing device to a user'sbody. Further, the securing structure may comprise a plurality ofdetachable modular segments joined together to form a second set ofcomputing components. As described below, each modular segment maycomprise a first mechanical connector and a second mechanical connector,a first set of electrical connectors and a second set of electricalconnectors, and one or more electrical components incorporated into themodular segment, such that a functionality of the computing device ismodifiable by changing modular segments. The modular segments also maybe made in different colors, sizes, shapes, textures, etc., therebyallowing users to select modular segments based upon such considerationsas fit, style and weight.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a wearable computing device 600 havinga securing structure 602 formed from a plurality of modular segments604. While the body 606 of wearable computing device 600 is depicted ashaving a shape similar to that of computing device 100, it will beunderstood that a wrist computing device having a securing structureformed from modular segments may have a body with any other suitableshape, including but not limited to traditional planar watch shapes.Further, wearable computing devices other than wrist computing devices,such as necklace-type devices, also may utilize a securing structurewith modular segments. Additionally, it will be understood thatadditional functionality also may be provided in a single band, ratherthan a modular band comprising a plurality of segments.

In some embodiments, body 606 and securing structure 602 each may bedetachably mounted to a base structure 607, such that body 606 may beremoved from the base structure 607 to take telephone calls, forexample. In other embodiments, securing structure 602 may be directlyattached to body 606. In such embodiments, a receiver and/or microphone(e.g. in the form of a headset) may be connected to body 606 wirelesslyor with a wired connection to allow for comfortable use in a telephonemode.

The modular segments of securing structure 602 are illustratedschematically as comprising various components, including an antenna608, a microphone 610, an additional power supply 612 (e.g. battery,inductive charger, kinetic charger, etc.), a sensor package 614 (e.g.biometric sensor, image sensor, ambient light sensor, motion sensor,etc.), and memory 616. Further, a segment without additional computingdevice functionality 618 is also illustrated. It will be understood thatthe components shown in FIG. 6 are depicted for the purpose of example,and are not intended to be limiting in any manner, as any suitablecomponents may be included in modular segments.

Various factors may be considered in determining a set offunctionalities to include in body 606 and functionalities to include inmodular segments 604. For example, in some embodiments, it may bedesirable to provide core and/or widely popular functionalities in body606, as it is likely that most or all users will desire suchfunctionalities. Examples of such functionalities may include, but arenot limited to, core computing device components (e.g. logic and storagesubsystems), wireless networking components, mobile phone components(including but not limited to circuitry, antennas, and input/outputdevices such as microphones and speakers), display components, touchsensor components, image sensor(s), hardware buttons and/or otherhardware input devices, one or more batteries, battery chargingcomponents (e.g. wired receptacle and/or wireless charging coil),connectors (e.g. USB, 3.5 mm headphone jack), haptics, etc. It will beunderstood that a set of components selected for inclusion in body 606may be selected based upon an intended use of wearable computing device600 (e.g. whether the device is intended for use as a smart mobiledevice, an activity monitor, etc.).

Likewise, in some embodiments, components that are wanted by a smallersubset of users may be provided as modular segments 604 for optional usein securing structure 602. This may allow each individual user to selecta set of functionalities desired by that user, thereby allowingcustomization of the computing capabilities of wearable computing device600. Any suitable set of functionalities may be provided as modularsegments 604. Examples include, but are not limited to, camera(s) (e.g.high resolution and/or rear facing), one or more extra batteries, anauxiliary display (e.g. an OLED or electronic ink display), one or morespeaker(s), passive power collection features (e.g. solar and/orkinetic), wireless charging features, one or more sensors (e.g. GPSsensor, motion sensor, ambient light sensor, biometric sensor such astemperature, pulse, oxygen saturation sensors, blood sugar sensor,spirometer, etc.), wireless networking capabilities (e.g. Ant+, ZigBee,NFC, etc.), audio jack(s), infrared emitter(s) (e.g. an IR blaster)including but not limited to light emitting diodes, depth/distancedetectors (e.g. utilizing infrared/ultrasound/camera based solutions),eye detecting cameras, mass storage (e.g. board-mounted and/or SDIO cardslot based), haptic output devices, visible light emitter(s) (e.g. acamera flash) including but not limited to light emitting diode(s), aSIM card, a storage device, a connector, a microphone, button(s), etc.Where a camera is incorporated into a modular segment 604, the cameramay be either a primary or secondary camera for wearable computingdevice 600.

The use of one or more extra batteries incorporated into securingstructure 602 via one or more modular segments 604, may help to increasean amount of runtime between battery charging cycles. Further, providingbatteries in both body 606 and securing structure 602 may allow power tobe routed in either direction (e.g. from the body to the securingstructure, and vice versa), depending upon power needs.

It will be understood that the above listed components are presented forthe purpose of example and are not intended to be limiting, as any othersuitable components may be included in a modular segment 604 for asecuring structure. For example, a modular securing structure segmentmay comprise haptic features that may be used to notify a user ofvarious events, communication, and the like. Such a haptic output devicemay be configured to output vibration, light, and/or heat, or mayperform more complex outputs (e.g. a virtual hug/squeeze performed via astructure such as an electro-polymer film, electro-fluidic device, orelectro-mechanical device).

Modular segments 604 may be electrically and mechanically connected toone another and to body 606 or base structure 607 in any suitablemanner. Regarding mechanical connections, and as illustrated in thesectional view of FIG. 7A (depicted from a viewing direction along theplane of the page), in some embodiments a modular segment 604 maycomprise a first mechanical connector in the form of a retainer 700,such as a hook, on one side and a second, complementary mechanicalconnector in the form of a complementary feature 702, such as acomplementary bar or pin, on another side. In such embodiments, theretainer 700 on one modular segment is configured to removably attach tothe complementary feature 702 on an adjacent modular segment. It will beunderstood that body 606, or base structure 607 that supports body 606,may have similar mechanical connectors to allow modular segments toattach to the body or base.

It will be understood that any other suitable mechanical connectors maybe used other than those described above, such as spring-loaded pinassemblies similar to those that are used to connect watchstraps towatches. Such an assembly may include a first pin segment positionedwithin an interior of a hollow second pin segment, and a spring locatedwithin the hollow second pin segment that biases the first pin segmentoutwardly. In such an embodiment, the pin may be configured to carrydata different electrical signals on the first and second pin segments.For example, each pin segment may include an electrical connector at anend of the segment insulated from a remainder of the segment via aninsulating band, and complementary connectors in the form of receptaclesfor the pin ends may be provided on an opposite side of the modularsegment as the pin assembly to allow the assemblies to be connectedtogether. Such features may be utilized with pin 702, or with any othersuitable connecting pin.

As a more specific example, such a pin connector may be configured tohave four electrical contacts (power, ground, and a signal pair) bycarrying two signals coaxially on each of two pin segments. Such aconfiguration may be suitable for use with protocols such as USB thatutilize four electrical contacts. One-wire and/or two-wire communicationstandards also may be used (e.g. UART, I2C, SPI). As a more specificexample, if chassis ground is used for two modules that are connected,then two ends of a pin connector may be used to connect power and alsoprovide for a one wire communication standard. Further, connectionsbetween modular segments 604 and/or body 606 also may utilize standardelectrical connections, such as universal serial bus (USB) connectors.

Regarding electrical connections, in some embodiments each modularsegment 604 may have a first set of electrical connectors that connectto an adjacent modular segment 604 (or body 606 or base for body) on oneside of the modular segment, and a second set of electrical connectorsthat connect to an adjacent modular segment on an opposite side of themodular segment. FIGS. 7A and 7B show two example configurations offirst and second sets of electrical connectors, shown schematically at710 and 712. First referring to FIG. 7A, each modular segment has twoelectrical lines 714, 716 that connect to adjacent modular segments. Theconnections may be formed, for example, as contacts 717 that touchcomplementary contacts 718 on an adjacent modular segment when themodular segments are joined together by the mechanical connectors. Inother embodiments, any other suitable connector, whether standard orcustom, may be used. For example, some embodiments may use flexconnectors that extend through hinges (e.g. a flat cable extendingbetween segments that can flex at hinges between segments). Further,other embodiments may have any suitable number of connectors betweensegments.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7A, power and data signals may be carriedbetween modular segments via the two lines 712, 714. For example, oneline 710 may correspond to a ground line, while another line 712 may beconfigured to carry signals via modulation of a voltage on line 712, andalso to provide power, for example, as the average of the modulatedsignal. Alternatively or additionally, one or more modular segments maycommunicate with other wireless segments and/or with components in body606 wirelessly, for example, via Bluetooth, Near Field Communication(NFC), and/or in any other suitable manner. The example of FIG. 7Adepicts one modular segment 604A that lacks electrical component(s).Modular segment 604A thus may represent a modular segment used forsizing purposes, as a user may not desire functionality on each modularsegment used to extend fully around a user's wrist. In modular segment604A, the conductors extending between the first set of electricalconnectors and the second set of electrical connectors may themselves beconsidered electrical components.

FIG. 7B shows another example embodiment of first and second sets ofelectrical connectors 720, 722, wherein first set of electricalconnectors 720 is located on a first side 724 of modular segment 604,and wherein second set of electrical connectors 722 is located on asecond side of modular segment 604. In the embodiment of FIG. 7B fourelectrical lines are provided for each modular segment 604, which mayrepresent a power supply line 730 (e.g. V⁺⁺), a first data line (e.g.D⁺) 732, a second data line (e.g. D⁻) 734, and a ground line 736. Thus,each set of electrical connectors 720, 722 comprises four connections tocorresponding lines on an adjacent modular segment.

Any suitable protocol may be used to transmit data between theelectrical components in modular segments 604 and the components in body606. As one example, in the embodiment of FIG. 7B, universal serial bus(USB) protocols may be used to transmit data between components inmodular segments and components in body 606, as well as to discover andrecognize newly attached segments. Other examples include, but are notlimited to, other wired protocols like universal asynchronousreceiver/transmitter (UART), as well as wireless protocols such asBlueTooth, Wireless USB, WiFi, etc. Such protocols may allow acombination of control, data collection, audio/video data (e.g. from acamera incorporated into a modular segment), and the like to becommunicated in either direction between components in body 606 andcomponents in modular segments 604. In any case, the use of modularsegments 604 may allow a functionality of wearable computing system 600to be changed simply by detaching one or more modular segments and/orattaching one or more other modular segments.

In some embodiments, a securing structure and body portion of a wearablecomputing device may be configured to each function independently of theother, and also function together in cooperation. In such an embodiment,each of these structures may comprise its own power supply, and also maycomprise wireless or wired connectivity capability that can connect toother devices (e.g. via a personal area network), such as mobile phones,laptop computers, other wearable devices, and the like. For example, asecuring structure may contain independent functionality similar to anactivity-tracking device, while the body may independently function as asmart communication device. When operated together, the securingstructure may add sensing capability to the body portion of the device,and the body portion of the device may provide for a richer interfaceand display for the functionalities offered by the securing structure.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram depicting an embodiment of a method 800 ofconfiguring a wearable computing device the wearable computing devicecomprising a first set of electrical components in a computing devicebody and a second, user-modifiable set of electrical components in amodular securing structure. In some embodiments, the wearable computingdevice may take the form of a wrist computing device, and the securingstructure may take the form of a wrist strap or band that holds thedevice to the wrist, while in other embodiments the wearable computingdevice may take any other suitable form (e.g. necklace, other).

Method 800 comprises, at 801, providing a first modular securingstructure segment and a second modular securing structure segment thatare connectable to form at least a part of a modular securing structurefor a wearable computing device. As indicated at 802, the securingstructure may comprise forming a wrist strap for a wrist computingdevice in some embodiments. It will be understood that any additionalnumber of modular securing structure segments may be provided. Further,it will be understood that the first and second modular securingstructure segments may be provided either together or separately, suchthat a consumer may purchase the modular securing structure segments asa set or as individual units. Further, the modular securing structuresegments may be provided with a computing device body (e.g. a wristcomputing device body or other wearable computing device body), orseparately from the computing device body.

In some embodiments, for example, where a modular securing structure isassembled prior to provision to consumers, method 800 may optionallycomprise, at 804, forming the modular securing structure for thewearable computing device by coupling the first modular securingstructure segment to the second modular securing structure segment. Inother embodiment, such processes may be performed by end usersseparately from the provision of the modular securing segments.

Forming the modular securing structure may comprise, at 806, coupling afirst mechanical connector on the first modular securing structuresegment to a second mechanical connector on the second modular securingstructure segment. Further, forming the modular securing structure alsomay comprise, at 808, coupling a first set of electrical connectors onthe first modular securing structure segment to a second set ofelectrical connectors on a second modular securing structure segment.

The first and second segments may be coupled together in any suitablemanner. For example, in some embodiments, a hook or other retainingfeature may be mechanically attached to a complementary structure, suchas a bar. As another example, a spring-loaded pin may be used to connectthe two segments together. In either case, the first set of electricalconnectors may be formed in such a manner as to connect automatically tothe second set of electrical connectors when the first and secondsegments are mechanically joined together. As yet another example, themechanical connectors each may comprise one or more magnets to holdmodular segments together mechanically via magnetic attraction. The term“mechanical connector” includes any connector utilizing any connectingmechanism that allows one modular segment to be connected to an adjacentmodular segment and/or computing device. Additional modular securingstructure segments may be connected in a similar manner to form themodular securing structure. It will be understood that the segmentsjoined together to form the modular securing structure may comprise anysuitable functionalities, including but not limited to those describedearlier herein.

Continuing, at 810, method 800 comprises coupling the modular securingstructure to a body of the wearable computing device to electrically andmechanically join the modular securing structure to the body, and tocommunicatively couple the first set of electrical components and thesecond set of electrical components. The mechanical, electrical, andcommunicative coupling of the modular securing structure thereby to formthe wearable computing device.

As mentioned above, the use of the modular securing structure may allowthe functionality of the wearable computing device to be changed byremoval and/or addition of modular securing structure segments. Thus, amethod may further include changing a functionality of the wearablecomputing device by removing a modular segment and/or adding a newmodular segment. In this manner, a hardware configuration andfunctionality of a wrist computing device may be varied simply bychanging a set of modular securing structure segments used to form thesecuring structure for the wearable computing device. Further, amanufacturer may provide various pre-selected configurations and/ormultiple boxed items with different capabilities.

In some embodiments, the methods and processes described herein may betied to a computing system of one or more computing devices. Inparticular, such methods and processes may be implemented as acomputer-application program or service, an application-programminginterface (API), a library, and/or other computer-program product.

FIG. 9 schematically shows a block diagram of a non-limiting embodimentof a computing system 900 that can enact one or more of the methods andprocesses described above. Computing system 900 is shown in simplifiedform. Computing system 900 may take the form of one or more personalcomputers, server computers, tablet computers, home-entertainmentcomputers, network computing devices, gaming devices, mobile computingdevices, mobile communication devices (e.g., smart phone), and/or othercomputing devices.

Computing system 900 includes a logic machine 902 and a storage machine904. Computing system 900 may optionally include a display subsystem906, input subsystem 908, communication subsystem 910, and/or othercomponents not shown in FIG. 9.

Logic machine 902 includes one or more physical devices configured toexecute instructions. For example, the logic machine may be configuredto execute instructions that are part of one or more applications,services, programs, routines, libraries, objects, components, datastructures, or other logical constructs. Such instructions may beimplemented to perform a task, implement a data type, transform thestate of one or more components, achieve a technical effect, orotherwise arrive at a desired result.

The logic machine may include one or more processors configured toexecute software instructions. Additionally or alternatively, the logicmachine may include one or more hardware or firmware logic machinesconfigured to execute hardware or firmware instructions. Processors ofthe logic machine may be single-core or multi-core, and the instructionsexecuted thereon may be configured for sequential, parallel, and/ordistributed processing. Individual components of the logic machineoptionally may be distributed among two or more separate devices, whichmay be remotely located and/or configured for coordinated processing.Aspects of the logic machine may be virtualized and executed by remotelyaccessible, networked computing devices configured in a cloud-computingconfiguration.

Storage machine 904 includes one or more physical devices configured tohold instructions executable by the logic machine to implement themethods and processes described herein. When such methods and processesare implemented, the state of storage machine 904 may betransformed—e.g., to hold different data.

Storage machine 904 may include removable and/or built-in devices.Storage machine 904 may include optical memory (e.g., CD, DVD, HD-DVD,Blu-Ray Disc, etc.), semiconductor memory (e.g., RAM, EPROM, EEPROM,etc.), and/or magnetic memory (e.g., hard-disk drive, floppy-disk drive,tape drive, MRAM, etc.), among others. Storage machine 904 may includevolatile, nonvolatile, dynamic, static, read/write, read-only,random-access, sequential-access, location-addressable,file-addressable, and/or content-addressable devices.

It will be appreciated that storage machine 904 includes one or morephysical devices. However, aspects of the instructions described hereinalternatively may be propagated by a communication medium (e.g., anelectromagnetic signal, an optical signal, etc.) that is not held by aphysical device for a finite duration.

Aspects of logic machine 902 and storage machine 904 may be integratedtogether into one or more hardware-logic components. Such hardware-logiccomponents may include field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), program-and application-specific integrated circuits (PASIC/ASICs), program- andapplication-specific standard products (PSSP/ASSPs), system-on-a-chip(SOC), and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), for example.

It will be appreciated that a “service”, as used herein, is anapplication program executable across multiple user sessions. A servicemay be available to one or more system components, programs, and/orother services. In some implementations, a service may run on one ormore server-computing devices.

Display subsystem 906 may be used to present a visual representation ofdata held by storage machine 904. This visual representation may takethe form of a graphical user interface (GUI). As the herein describedmethods and processes change the data held by the storage machine, andthus transform the state of the storage machine, the state of displaysubsystem 906 may likewise be transformed to visually represent changesin the underlying data. Display subsystem 906 may include one or moredisplay devices utilizing virtually any type of technology. Such displaydevices may be combined with logic machine 902 and/or storage machine904 in a shared enclosure, or such display devices may be peripheraldisplay devices.

Input subsystem 908 may comprise or interface with one or moreuser-input devices, such as a touch screen, hardware button, or otherinput mechanism. In some embodiments, the input subsystem may compriseor interface with selected natural user input (NUI) componentry. Suchcomponentry may be integrated or peripheral, and the transduction and/orprocessing of input actions may be handled on- or off-board. Example NUIcomponentry may include a microphone for speech and/or voicerecognition; an infrared, color, stereoscopic, and/or depth camera formachine vision and/or gesture recognition; a head tracker, eye tracker,accelerometer, magnetometer, and/or gyroscope for motion detectionand/or intent recognition; electric-field sensing componentry forassessing brain activity and/or body motion. Further, input subsystem908 also may include one or more biometric sensors.

Communication subsystem 910 may be configured to communicatively couplecomputing system 900 with one or more other computing devices.Communication subsystem 910 may include wired and/or wirelesscommunication devices compatible with one or more differentcommunication protocols. As non-limiting examples, the communicationsubsystem may be configured for communication via a wireless telephonenetwork, or a wired or wireless local- or wide-area network. In someembodiments, the communication subsystem may allow computing system 900to send and/or receive messages to and/or from other devices via anetwork such as the Internet.

It will be understood that the configurations and/or approachesdescribed herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specificembodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense,because numerous variations are possible. The specific routines ormethods described herein may represent one or more of any number ofprocessing strategies. As such, various acts illustrated and/ordescribed may be performed in the sequence illustrated and/or described,in other sequences, in parallel, or omitted. Likewise, the order of theabove-described processes may be changed.

The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel andnonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various processes,systems and configurations, and other features, functions, acts, and/orproperties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof.

1. A method of operating a wrist computing device, the wrist computingdevice comprising a body having a display configured to extend from adorsal side of a wrist to a lateral side of the wrist, and the wristcomputing device also comprising a motion sensor, the method comprising:tracking an estimated position of the wrist computing device via datafrom the motion sensor; receiving a trigger to display a notification onthe display; displaying the notification on a portion of the displayconfigured to be located over the lateral side of the wrist; detecting arotation of the computing device; and in response, displaying contentassociated with the notification on a portion of the display configuredto be located over the dorsal side of the wrist.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein tracking the estimated position of the wrist computing devicecomprises tracking an estimated position of the wrist computing devicerelative to a head of a user, and wherein displaying the contentcomprises displaying the content at a position determined based upon theestimated position of the wrist computing device relative to the head ofthe user.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein displaying the content basedupon the estimated position of the wrist computing device relative tothe head of the user comprises displaying the content on an area of thedisplay determined to be oriented more toward the head of the user whilenot displaying the content on an area of the display determined to beoriented less toward the head of the user.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising detecting a change in orientation of the wristcomputing device, and in response changing a position on the display atwhich the content is displayed.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thenotification comprises one or more of a notification of a received textmessage, a notification of a received email message, and a notificationof a received voicemail message, and wherein displaying the contentcomprises one or more of displaying the received text message,displaying the received email message, and displaying a representationof the received voicemail message.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereindisplaying the notification on the portion of the display configured tobe located over the lateral side of the wrist comprises displaying thenotification on a curved portion of the display, and wherein displayingthe content on the portion of the display configured to be located overthe dorsal side of the wrist comprises displaying the content on aplanar portion of the display.
 7. A wrist computing device, comprising:a body having a display configured to extend from a dorsal side of awrist to a lateral side of the wrist; a motion sensor; a processor; anda storage device comprising instructions executable to track anestimated position of the wrist computing device via data from themotion sensor; receive a trigger to display a notification on thedisplay; display the notification on a portion of the display configuredto be located over the lateral side of the wrist; detect a rotation ofthe wrist computing device, and in response, display content associatedwith the notification on a portion of the display configured to belocated over the dorsal side of the wrist.
 8. The wrist computing deviceof claim 7, wherein the instructions are executable to track theestimated position of the wrist computing device by tracking anestimated position of the wrist computing device relative to a head of auser, and to display the content by displaying the content at a positiondetermined based upon the estimated position of the wrist computingdevice relative to the head of the user.
 9. The wrist computing deviceof claim 8, wherein the instructions are executable to display thecontent on an area of the display determined to be oriented more towardthe head of the user while not displaying the content on an area of thedisplay determined to be oriented less toward the head of the user. 10.The wrist computing device of claim 7, wherein the instructions arefurther executable to detect a change in orientation of the wristcomputing device, and in response change a position on the display atwhich the content is displayed.
 11. The wrist computing device of claim7, wherein the notification comprises one or more of a notification of areceived text message, a notification of a received email message, and anotification of a received voicemail message, and wherein displaying thecontent comprises one or more of displaying the received text message,displaying the received email message, and displaying a representationof the received voicemail message.
 12. The wrist computing device ofclaim 7, wherein the portion of the display configured to be locatedover the lateral side of the wrist comprises a curved portion of thedisplay, and the portion of the display configured to be located overthe dorsal side of the wrist comprises a planar portion of the display.13. The wrist computing device of claim 12, further comprising, in acurved portion of the body supporting the curved portion of the display,one or more components selected from a battery, a speaker, a resonancecavity, a charging coil, and a solar cell.
 14. The wrist computingdevice of claim 12, further comprising, in a planar portion of the bodysupporting the planar portion of the display, one or more componentsselected from an integrated circuit, a sensor package, a haptic outputdevice, a biometric sensor, and a microphone.
 15. The wrist computingdevice of claim 7, wherein the display comprises a segmented display.16. The wrist computing device of claim 7, wherein the display comprisesa curved organic light emitting device (OLED) display.
 17. Acomputer-readable storage device comprising instructions executable by awrist computing device to: track an estimated position of the wristcomputing device via data from a motion sensor of the computing device;receive a trigger to display a notification; display the notification ona portion of a display configured to be located over a lateral side of awrist; detect a rotation of the computing device via data from themotion sensor, and in response, display content associated with thenotification on a portion of the display configured to be located over adorsal side of the wrist.
 18. The computer-readable storage device ofclaim 17, wherein the instructions are executable to detect a change inorientation of the wrist computing device, and in response change aposition on the display at which the content is displayed.
 19. Thecomputer-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the notificationcomprises one or more of a notification of a received text message, anotification of a received email message, and a notification of areceived voicemail message, and wherein the instructions are executableto display one or more of the received text message, the received emailmessage, and a representation of the received voicemail message.
 20. Thecomputer-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the instructionsare executable to track the estimated position of the wrist computingdevice by tracking an estimated position of the wrist computing devicerelative to a head of a user, and to display the content by displayingthe content at a position determined based upon the estimated positionof the wrist computing device relative to the head of the user.